Andy Burnham forms new UK cabinet, pledges 10‑year plan and cost‑of‑living aid
Andy Burnham was appointed prime minister by King Charles III after Keir Starmer’s resignation, becoming the United Kingdom’s seventh premier in ten years. Within hours he reshuffled the cabinet, naming former defence minister John Healey as chancellor of the exchequer, Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, Wes Streeting as defence secretary, Angela Rayner as housing secretary, and retaining Shabana Mahmood as home secretary. Burnham announced a sweeping 10‑year reform programme and immediate measures to give households “breathing space” on the cost of living, including a pledge to end rough‑sleeping. He highlighted decentralisation of power, re‑industrialisation and greater public control of essential services. In his first Downing Street speech he promised the biggest changes in four decades, vowed continued support for Ukraine, and reiterated the UK’s commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. Market reaction saw gilt yields rise to a two‑month high and the pound fall after the cabinet announcements. Burnham also held early phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.